Imports of crude oil and fuel in Cuba they fell by a third, compared to the same period last year, according to a report from the agency Reuterswhich highlights the decline in supplies from essential allies such as Venezuela and Mexico.
Between January and October, imports from Mexico, a safe supplier in 2023 after regularizing shipments of light crude oil, decreased to around 5,000 barrels per day (bpd), which represents a 73% drop compared to the 18,800 bpd received in the same period of 2024, according to maritime transport data managed by this source.
Meanwhile, imports of crude oil and fuel from Venezuela, Cuba’s main political ally, fell by nearly 15% during the same period, figures that translate into about 27,400 bpd.
This reduction especially affected the supply of fuel oil for power generation, according to internal documents of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
In total, Cuban imports of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas and residual and motor fuels of all origins decreased by 35%, to around 45,400 bpd between January and October, compared to 69,400 bpd in the same period of the previous year, the source highlights.
The situation has worsened the power outages, which have not slowed down one bit on the island, and which have continued for years, making life difficult for Cubans and becoming a growing problem for the battered national economy.
Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba fell to 11 thousand barrels per day in October
To meet demand in power generation and transportation, the island’s government depends on the import of refined products, such as fuel oil and diesel.
US sanctions and a deep and sustained economic crisis have made it impossible for the Government to acquire sufficient fuel, which has generated a growing dependence on its allies, this source points out.
